Forest Guy Griffin

Deborah Castellani is a CFA® charterholder with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at Akros Investments, Inc. She has worked in consulting since 2000 and is president of OTB Strategic Consulting, Inc., a financial and non-financial consulting firm. Akros Investments, Inc. primarily serves institutional clients and plan sponsors, offering retirement-plan oversight, fiduciary governance, and asset-allocation-based portfolio management. The firm provides consulting and educational programs, including women-focused financial education, alongside asset management and co-fiduciary services.

Claudia Valladares is a financial advisor at 11 Financial in Lufkin, TX, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. She has worked at 11 Financial since 2018 and was previously with Envoy Advisory Inc. and Commercial Bank of Texas. 11 Financial provides portfolio management, financial planning, and education services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory to tailor strategies to client goals and risk tolerance.

Taylor Kovar is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at 11 Financial since 2015. He previously worked at Envoy Advisory Inc. from 2022 to 2024. Outside of advising, Kovar is involved in several business ventures including real estate development, digital marketing, outdoors apparel, frozen treats, and coffee shops. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Stephen F. Austin State University during select spring semesters. 11 Financial provides portfolio management, financial planning, and education services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate clients. The firm combines fundamental and technical analysis with modern portfolio theory, offering tailored investment strategies that include both long-term allocations and more active trading approaches.

Joseph Ceasar is a financial advisor with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at 11 Financial as part of a six-advisor team. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Kovar Wealth Management, Semita Asset Management, and Investors of the Kingdom LLC. Ceasar is also the president of the board of directors for the Legacy Institute for Financial Education, a nonprofit organization. 11 Financial provides portfolio management, financial planning, and education services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory, offering tailored investment strategies that include both long-term allocations and active trading approaches.

Ashlyn Reece is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and seven years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Raymond James & Associates, Woodlands Securities Corporation, and The Advanced Financial Group. She is also involved in fixed insurance sales alongside her advisory work. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that supports a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and manages over $212 billion in client assets. The firm offers a broad platform of managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, and a variety of investment options.

Alexis Pigg is a financial advisor at Sanctuary Advisors, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Bank of America and Merrill. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as President of the Junior League of Lufkin, overseeing the board and community service projects focused on women and children in the Lufkin/Angelina County area. Sanctuary Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm supports more than 400 independent investment adviser representatives who manage accounts through various programs, employing multiple analytical approaches and offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.